Program Description

Since 2005, Spanish majors at EMU have the opportunity to spend an extended
semester (January-May) in Cádiz, Spain. The new program fulfills the
requirement to study in a major university in a Spanish-speaking country.

Students
participate in an intensive language and culture program for the first six weeks
and then enroll in regular courses of their choice at the University of Cádiz,
earning 18-21 credit hours. Courses such as Civilization and Literatures of
Spain are now offered only in Cádiz Each student is placed with a Spanish
host family within walking distance from the university.

At no extra cost, the program allows students to explore the many wonders of
the region, including Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada with its magnificent
Alhambra, opening a window to experience first hand the rich mix of traditions
that has shaped this area (Arab, Jewish, Catholic, Phoenician), while enjoying
a slower pace focused on the table of a café or their families’
home.

In addition, students have the opportunity to volunteer with a local NGO or
service organization, building friendships and learning to see the world through
local people's eyes.

The world through one of our students’ eyes (volunteering in a refugee
home in Ceuta):

“And then there is me. The americana. Thrown into the mix. I’m
surrounded by people from places I have trouble finding on a map. I’m
making friends with the kinds of people I never knew I was missing from my life.
A Moroccan Muslim technician who lives across the hall from me. An Algerian
who can’t stop rapping and has dreams of one day reaching the United States.
A Spanish enfermera who wants me to teach her medical phrases in English.

I feel extremely blessed to be a part of this family made up of so many different
faces of humanity. Being here has changed how I think about immigration and
has made me think a lot about borders, human trafficking, and what all humans
are entitled to having.”